Smarthistory Guide to Ancient Egyptian Art

Where art history begins: cave paintings, the first sculptures and monuments like Stonehenge. Short essays by art historians, ideal before diving into the ancient civilizations.

Smarthistory

From Sumerian statues to Assyrian palace reliefs and Persian Persepolis. A beautifully illustrated guide to the art of Mesopotamia and its empires.

Smarthistory

The art of the Cycladic islands, Minoan Crete and Mycenae, the cultures that came before classical Greece. Few people know these works, and this guide makes them easy to explore.

Smarthistory

Pottery, temples and sculpture from the Archaic period to the Hellenistic age, including the Parthenon. Nearly 200 illustrated pages written by specialists.

Smarthistory

Painted tombs, terracotta sculpture and the culture that shaped early Rome. A compact introduction to the Etruscans and their art.

Smarthistory